Artificial tooth



(No Model.) 1

T. s; WATERS. ARTIFICIAL TOQTH.

No. 377,970.. Pate nt ed -Peb.- lf4, 18 88..

IJVVEJVTOR.

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:f UNITED STATE PATENT OFFIcE.--

THOMAS SOLLERS WATERS, OF BALTIMORE, llLJtYLA'ND.-

.ARTIFICIAL TOOTH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 377,970, dated February 14, 1888.

' Application filed September 24, 1887. Serial No. 250,605. No model.)

To (1% whom it may concern:

Be it known that (I, THOMAS SOLLERS WA- TERS, a citizen of the United States, resident at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements n Artificial Teeth; and I do declare the followmg to be a full, clear, and exact description of the lnvention, such as will enable others skilled 1n the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure lof the drawings is a representation of a cap secured to the root of a tooth, and is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a crown, which is fitted upon the cap,

. and is detachable. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the upper portion of the root,with the cap and crown. Fig.4 isan edge view of one of the springs before being soldered to the crown. Fig. 5 is a perspective view, showing bridgework. Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are details of the same. Fig. 10 is a modification of the crownfastening. Figs. 11, 12, and 13 are different views of another modification of fastening the crowns. Figs. 14 and 15 show portions of strips prepared for use.

This invention has relation to detachable tooth-crowns, bridge-work, and connections therefor; and it consists in the construction and novel combination of devices, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates a cap, which is secured to the root of a tooth.

B represents a detachable crown, which is fitted upon the cap, and connected thereto by the elastic'friction of a spring.

0 indicates bridge-work involving 'a detachable crown,which is similarly connected to the capped tooth or root. The root of the toothis suitably prepared to receive the cap or incasement. If the root rises sufficiently above the gum, I usually groove it on one or both sides, or in rear,as may be preferable, so that it will receive the inwardly-projecting walls of the indentations or grooves of the cap or incasement. These grooves or indentations are made in the band of the cap, as at D, and before the cap is secured to the root or tooth top.

They may be made by pressing or indenting the band, or by notchingthe band and soldering the groove-pieces to the margins of the notches. Bands having the grooves already formed, as at E, may be prepared and supplied to dentists, and used in the construction of the caps, these bands being cut and pieces thereof soldered together to form a cap which will fit the root or tooth neatly.

When the root does notrise sufficiently above the gum to receive a hollow cap, a filled cap or top is secured to the root in the ordinary manner.

The crowns B are prepared to fit the caps,

and are provided with elastic posts or springs F, which should enter the indentation of the caps with some tension. Usually,for this purpose, I prepare a'U-shaped spring,one branch of said spring being free and the other soldered to the band ofthe crown, as shown. These springs may be readily opened a little or closed slightly, to give theproper tension when in engagement with the grooves or indentations of the cap or incasement. Bands may be made having these springs duly soldered thereto, and being designed for the use of dentists in making crowns to fit the caps.

In some instances the indentation of the cap may be made near its base, and the spring,duly soldered to the wall of the crown, may be deflected at its end to engage the indentation; and Isometimes fit a spring in a horizontal slot of the crown, as indicated at G, so that while one end of the spring is soldered to the crown at one end of the slot the other end and main portion of the spring will be free." This spring is designed to be deflected inward slightly, so that it willengage the exterior wall of the cap with firmness when the crown is placed thereon,and the construction is prefering a spring or springs being included in the' bridge-work. The sustaining root or tooth top is prepared in the same manner hereinbefore ICC indicated by securing the cap thereto. The

crown B of the bridge-work Q is provided with the frietion=spring, as shown,- and when the bridge-work is in place it is held by the tension of the crown-spring F engaging the cap. These crowns and bridges are readily detachable, and when in position hold their place with proper firmness. Should the spring-frietion become too Weak, the springscan be easily set up to obtain the proper amount of pressure.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. A detachable tooth-crown havingaspring soldered thereto,and adapted to hold its place on the root by the tension of said spring, substantially as specified.

THOMAS SOLLERS WATERS.

Witnesses:

J. EDGAR ORRIsoN, MOSES PELs. 

